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Sports News of Wednesday, 15 October 2014
Source: Goal.com
Ghana defeated visiting Guinea on Wednesday in Tamale in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu gave care-taker coach Maxwell Konadu his first victory in charge. Mohammed Yattara Lamine got the consolation for the Syli Nationale.
Despite the massive support from the Tamale fans, the Black Stars did not start the game to the delight of the fans as the Syli Nationale had the better of the opening exchanges, causing a few scares but not doing enough to silence a vociferous home crowd.
The Guineans should have opened the scoring in the 9th minute but a poor finish straight into the arms of Stephen Adams meant that a swift counter attack was wasted. The Tamale fans were in full voice a few minutes later though as some excellent play from Harrison Afful and then Solomon Asante saw the latter release Jordan Ayew in the box who then squared it for an unmarked Asamoah Gyan to prod home and open the scoring.
The goal seemed to take the sting out of the Guineans' game while having the opposite effect on the Ghanaians resulting in a series of attacks which the Stars failed to completely capitalise on. The noise level in the stadium moved up another decibel around the 25th minute when amazing footwork from Jordan Ayew almost paid off but for some good goalkeeping from Nabby Yattara, before an inviting Afful cross just evaded Andre Ayew to the chagrin of the Marseille forward.
The crowed was silenced in the 34th minute when a deflected free kick sat up perfectly for Mohammed Yattara to hit a half volley into the ground and over an onrushing Adams. In a game where little had gone for them the goal seemed to give the Guineans a psychological lift as they began really threatening the shaky Ghanaian defence for the first time in the game constantly finding holes in a panic filled five minute period for the Ghanaians.
A series of corners around the 40th minute for the Black Stars and a rallying gesture from captain Gyan gave the Tamale fans their voices back as the atmosphere returned. The Guineans were not affected much though as they comfortably held on to see out the first half level.
Ghana started the second half with some urgency as Baba Rahman nearly restored the lead with and early second half chance but the full back curled his effort just wide. The Guineans were quick to adapt, however, and stem the constant flow of Ghanaian attacks and almost creating a chance of their own but for some last ditch defending from Awal Mohammed. The Ghanaians took the lead from the spot in the 56th minute as Ayew dispatched his second penalty in as many home games after Gyan effort was adjudged to have been stopped by Nabby Keita's elbow.
Yattara kept his team in the game a few minutes later pulling out a magnificent point-blank save after the Al Ain striker got his head to a well hit Solomon Asante free kick before keeping his calm to save a consequently feeble effort from Rabiu Mohammed after the holding midfielder's run saw him end up unmarked in the box.
The Guineans almost punished the Ghanaians for their almost complacent nature but with Adams left flat footed by a low in swinging cross, the visitors failed to find a finish with the effort dragging just wide of Adam's bottom left corner. Adams was more alert a few minutes later though reacting quickly to get to a header which seemed destined for the bottom right corner though his handling was not the best, needing a second bite of the cherry to get possession of the ball.
An injury to Adams saw the game held up for a while late into regulation time resulting in the referee adding five minutes of stoppage time at the end of regulation time. The Black Stars held on, however, despite a lot of nervy defending late on before a lung busting Rahman run from deep inside his half saw him set up Agyemang Badu on the edge of the box who swept home from a tight angle to give the score line a comfortable look with the last kick of the game.
